Automatic washer



Aug. 8. 1967 C. R. WALDROP AUTOMATIC WASHER Filed Sept 20, 1965 United States Patent O 3,334,497 AUTOMATIC WASHER Charles R. Waldrop, Herrin, lll., assignor to Borg- Warner Corporation, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 48S,542 13 Claims. (Cl. 68--23) This invention relates to automatic washers and more particularly to the basket assembly of automatic washers.

Automatic washers frequently employ a clothes-containing basket of the imperforate type and positioned Within a water-collecting tub, and agitation means, such as an Oscillating 'agitator or vertically movable dasher, to eflect movement of the clothes through the water in the basket. The basket conventionally has a generally cylindrical side wall with openings therein extending in a horizontal line adjacent the top of the side wall, or similarly extendng openings provided between the side wall top and a guard ring attached thereto, these openings serving as discharge ports for the water from the basket into the tub during rotating or spinning of the :basket to extract the water from the clothes by centrifugal force. In this water-extraction operation, the wash Water moves up the side wall of the basket and is discharged through the openings into the tub, the side wall of the basket usually having structure, such as a guard ring or inwardly directed rim at the top of the side wall, above the discharge ports to retain the clothes in the basket, during the water-extraction operation. Also, during the rinsing operation, water is supplied to the tub and overfiows through the basket discharge ports Carrying with it scum, -sediment, and detergent.

During the washing period of the described automatic washers, operation of the agitator or dasher Causes the water and clothes to be forcibly moved about in the basket providing considerable turbulence of the water. As a result, water continously surges toward, and is ejected through, the basket discharge ports into the tub thereby decreasing the quantity of water in the basket necessary for insuring proper cleaning of the clothes.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic washer basket assembly having means for retaining water in the basket during a washing operation while providing for the discharge of the water from the basket during a water-extraction operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic washer basket assembly having means, including water flow passages, constructed and arranged to return water, flowing through the passages by agitator action during the washing operation, to the basket, while providing for the discharge of water through the passages and from the basket during the water-extraction operation,

A specific Object of the invention is to provide an improved basket assembly having a guard ring in the basket and having Circumferentially spaced connections to the top of the basket side wall to provide vertically extending passages of water, the guard ring having an inclined upper surface extending r-adially inwardly and downwardly from the exit ends of the passages to ports in the guard ring to return water, forced upwardly through the passages by the agitator action during the washing operation, to the basket.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a Vertical sectional view of a typical washing machine embodying the improved basket assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the washer basket assembly shown in FIG. 1, portions of the basket assembly being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the basket assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The drawings are to be understood to be more or less of a schematic character for the purpose of illustrating and disclosing a typical or preferred form of the improvements contemnplated herein and in the drawing like reference characters identify the same parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the basket assembly with which the present invention is particularly concerned is shown, for purposes of 'illustration, incorporated in a washing machine of the type shown and described in U.S. Patent 2,807,951 issued Oct. 1 1957. The washing machine generally comprises a Cabinet A; a basket B of the centrifugal extracting type; an agitator C operatively disposed within the basket B; a transmission D, the housing of which forms a part of and is carried by the basket B for rotation therewith when the basket is rotated for centrifugal water extraction Operations, the transmisison also being adapted to impart an oscillatory motion to a shaft D and thereby to the agitator C; .a reversible electric motor (not shown) connected to the transmi-ssion D; a fluid container or tub E receiving the basket B; and a sequential control M, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,994,749, issued Aug. 1, 1961, and which is adapted to regulate the operation of the various elements in proper Sequence to perform the cycles of Operations involving filling, washing, rinsing and water-extracton.

In FIG. 1, the .Cabinet A which houses the entire mechanism and control system therefor and which comprises a top panel 11, a front panel 12, side panels and a rear panel 14. A control panel 15 forms a part of and projects upwardly from the top panel 11. The top panel 11 is provided with a hinged lid 16 to form a closure member for an opening 17 through which clothes or other articles to be cleansed may be introduced to the machine. The hinged lid 16 is -so disposed with respect to the opening 17 that it will be flnsh with the surface 'of the top panel 11 when it is in its closed position. One or more metal straps 18 pivotally disposed in mountings secured to the underside of the cover 11 serve to provide a hinged mounting for the lid 16 with respect to the cover 11.

The control panel 15 has a knob 20 providing means for m anually Operating the sequential control M to provide for the automatic cycles of operation of the machine.

Disposed within the Cabinet A is the water-fight outer tub or container E having a cyclindrical side wall 23 terminating in an open top 24 providing an annular opening, the periphery of which is disposed within the confines of the Cabinet top panel 11 and the peripheral edge of which is provided with an annular shaped Seal 25 adapted to engage portions of the inside surface of the cover in order to prevent water from splashing out of the tub and between the outer surface of the tub and the interior of the Cabinet A.

Disposed within the tub E and arranged for relative rotation therebetween and spaced from the wall 23 of the tub, is the basket B. The basket B comprises a generally cylindrical imperforate side wall 26 and bottom wall 27 having an annular offset at 28 projecting inwardly of the tub and terminating in an annular inwardly projecting flange 29 connected to and adapted to be driven by the transmission D during the Water extraction cycle of the machine.

Integrally formed with the top panel of the Cabinet A and projecting inwardly thereof substantially coaxially with the geometrical aXis of rotation of the: basket B, there is provided an annular flange 30 adapted to present a relatively smooth surface to define a throat through which the fabrics and other materials to be washed may be introduced to the basket B without danger of the fingers of the operator being injured or Caught between the adjacent Operating parts of the washer.

The present invention is directed to the improved watercontrol assembly, generally indicated at F, associated with and forming a portion of the basket. More specifically, the assembly F of the basket B comprises a composite structure formed and arranged to provide a clothes guard effective to prevent clothes ejection from the basket during rotation of the basket at high speed during the waterextraction cycles; ballast for balancing the basket during high speed rotation of the basket; and water control means, cooperative with the guard, ballast and basket side wall, to prevent loss of water from the basket into the tub during the wash-agitate cycles of the machine while providing for the ejection of water from the basket during the water-extraction cycle. In explanation, this composite structure comprises an annular element 3ll having a circular flange 32 defining an opening forming a continuation of the aforementioned throat 30 for the purpose of directing the passage of the clothes, or other material, to be washed into the tub E and basket B. The flange 32 projects downwardly within the confines of the basket B and terminates in a crcular and generally horizontal wall 33 extending radially outward and merging with an integral Vertical wall 34 to form, with the flange 32 and wall 33, an annular pocket for Cement 35 providing ballast for balancing the basket in the high speed rotation thereof during the water-extraction cycles of the washing machine.

The Vertical wall 34 of the assembly F is corrugated with its wavy or undulating formation providing circumferentially spaced radially outer portions 36 spot-welded as at 37 to the basket side wall 26 and also radially inner portions 38 with the webs 39 extending between these portions 36 and 38 defining, with the wall 26, a series of circumferentially spaced vertically extending passages 40. Also, it will be noted that these webs 39 form, with the radially outer portions 36, a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertically extending recesses 39a, closed at their bottoms, filled With ballast Cement 35 for securely anchoring the same.

Referring now to the assembly F and its Water-controlling function, it is important to observe the passages 40 provide for the flow of water from the clothes and water-containing interior of the basket to an annular chamber 41 formed by the crcular rim 44 of the basket wall 26, the wall 32, and the surface 42 of the ballast 35 forming the bottom of the chamber 30. As seen in FIG. 3, the surface 40 of the ballast 35 is inclined radially inwardly and downwardly toward a plurality of openings 43 in the wall 32, the openings 43 being in a horizontal plane and being spaced circumferentially about the wall 32 and providing for the discharge of water from the annular Chamber 41 into the basket.

In the operation of the washing machine described, clothes Or other articles to be laundered are inserted into the basket B of the washing machine, and soap or a detergent may be poured onto the clothes in the machine. The timer mechanism M is set in operation to perform the various sequential Operations of the cycle. Initiating the washer operation, the basket B is filled for a predetermined time period with a sufiicient quantity of Water varying with the amount and kind of clothes to be washed, the conventional washing operation requiring that the basket be filled with water to the level indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3 adjacent the top of the basket. Thereafter, a motor (not shown) becomes Operative to cause thetransmission D to oscillate the agitator C to perform its Washing function upon the clothes for a certain period of time.

During the agitator periods of the washer, the transmission D is eflective to cause oscillating rotary movement of the agitator for a predetermined period of time, as Controlled by the timer M. Operation of the agitator Causes the clothes and water to be moved with such force in the basket that the water has considerable turbulence. As a result, water continuously surges and flows upwardly through the passages 40 into the chamber 41 and down 4, the inclined surface 42 of the ballast 35 through the openings 43 into the basket, as indicated in FIG. 3. The inwardly turned rim 44 is effective to contain the Water, flowing upwardly through the passages 40, in the chamber 41 and also to direct the water inwardly and toward the openings 43 for returning the water to the basket.

It will be apparent that, by the employment of the basket assembly F, the water in the basket is retained at its proper level so that there is always a suflicient quantity of water in the basket to insure proper cleaning of the clothes during Operation of the agitator in the washing operation of the washing machine.

Upon the conclusion of the allotted time for the washing of the clothes by agitation, the timer mechanism becomes operative to stop the motor and reverse the direction of rotation of the motor to cause the transmission D to rotate the basket B for a water-extracting operation. In this operation, the rotation of the basket B, at high speed, Causes centrifugal forces to move the mass of water outwardly from the geometrical center of rotation and, by virtue of the inclined wall 26 of the basket, the water flows upwardly through the passages 40 and into the Chamber 41 and is then discharged over the rim 44 of the basket, as indicated in FIG. 3, into the outer water- Collecting container or tub E for disposal. The pump operates in two directions of rotation so that it rotates in one direction during operation of the agitator and rotates in the opposite direction during the extracting operation. After the water-extraction spin operation, the timer M is eflective to provide a spin rinse of warm water which is effective to remove extraneous scum and detergent remaining in the basket after the first water-extraction spin operation has been completed, the water in the basket is then expelled from the basket as described during the first wash water extraction operation.

Subseqeuntly the motor stops spinning the basket B and the basket is filled with warm rinse water, the agitator then becoming operative during continuous supply of water to the basket to provide an agitated overflow rinse, particularly desirable to clear the clothes in the basket of all scum, sediment and detergent fluid. If the water supply is continuous during this operation, the water fills the basket and overflows through openings 45 in the basket wall 26, communicating with passages 40, and into the tub E. As seen in FIG. 3, these openings 45 are in circumferentially spaced relation in the wall 26 and with an Opening 45 being provided for every fourth passage 40. It has been determined, in practice, that, during the washing operation involving the agitation periods, a negligible quantity of water flows through the openings 45 and substantially all of the water flows through passages 40 into the chamber 41 and is returned through the openings 43 into the basket. It will readily :be apparent that the large area and capacity and Vertical direction of the passages 40 in comparison to the smaller number of openings 45 than the passages 40 and the small area and location of the openings 45 insures the greater quantity Of water, surging upward through the passages 40 during agitation, will pass through the passages 40* into the chamber 41 and only a small inconsequential quantity of water passes through the openings 45 into the tub. The openings 445 are provided only for the purpose of the overflow rinse period when water enters the basket at such slow rate that, as the Water rises, the openings 45 permit the water to flow at a comparable rate from the basket into the tub. During rotation of the basket in the waterextraction periods, water is expelled from the basket by substantially all of the water fiowing through the passages 40 and over the rim 44 of the basket, and to insure all Water is evacuated from the basket, including any water returning to the basket through openings 43, some of the water is also expelled through the openings 45 into the tub.

In successive and Concluding Operations, an agitated rinse period without overflow, is provided and the motor is then reversed for the purpose of spinning basket B to extract water from the clothes. The washing operation is concluded by a spin rnse followed by water extraction.

The invention is not particularly concerned with the precise construction of the automatic washing machine hereinbefore described generally, 'but is equally applicable to types of washing machines having a vertically reciprocable dasher, or other agitation means and, accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the construction of the washing machine elements as set forth above, except where such cons-truction particularly concerns the invention contemplated.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the invention is not to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but to all changes coming Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. -In a clothes washing machine, a receptacle having a clothes-receiving opening in the top thereof; a clothes and liquid-containing basket in said receptacle and having a generally cylindrical wall; agitation means in said basket; a guard ring on the upper portion of said basket and providing a passage for liquid flowing upwardly by operation of said agitation means, said ring having openings radially inwardly of said passage; and means, located adjacent the discharge end of said passage, operative to direct the upwardly flowing liquid into said ring openings and thereby onto the clothes in said basket.

2. In a clothes washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid-directing means is the annular rim of said wall of said basket.

3. In a clothes washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said ring is disposed radially inwardly of said Wall and has circumferentially spaced projectons connected to said wall to provide a plurality of passages.

4. In a clothes cleaning machine, a receptacle having a clothes receiving opening in the top thereof; a clothes and liquid-Containing basket in said receptacle and having a generally cylindrical imperforate side wall; agitation means in said basket and actuatable during a washing operation; means providing for flow of liquid into said basket for an overfiow rinsing operation; a guard ring on and in spaced relation to the upper portion of said basket wall and having circumferentially spaced connections to said wall to provide a plurality of passages for liquid flowing upwardly by operation of said agitation means during the washing operation, and means for directing the liquid, flowing from the discharge end of said passages, onto the clothes in said basket during the washing operation; and means defining circumferentially spaced openings in the top of said imperforate side wall and beneath said liquid-directing means for flow of water from said basket into said receptacle during said overfiow rinsing operation.

5. In a clothes washing machine as defined in claim 4 wherein said openings are in said basket side Wall and in communication with said passages.

6. In a clothes cleaning machine, a liquid-collecting receptacle having a clothes-receiving opening in the top thereof; a clothes and liquid-containing imperforate basket in said receptacle; an agitator in said basket; an agitating and spinning mechanism selectively connected to said basket and said agitator for spinning said basket during a liquid-extraction operation and actuating said agitator during a washing operation; an annular element on the upper portion of said basket and defining passages for liquid flowing upwardly during actuation -of said agitator in said washing operation and spinning of said basket during said liquid-extraction operation; and means, located adjacent the discharge ends of said passages, for directing the liquid onto the clothes in said basket during said washing operation while permitting expelling of the liquid, in said basket, over the top of said basket and into said receptacle during said liquid-extraction operation.

7. In a clothes cleaning machine, a liquid collecting recepta-cle having a clothes-receiving Opening in the top thereof; a clothes and liquid-containing basket in said receptacle and having a generally cylindrical side wall; an agitator in said basket; an agitating and spinning mechnism selectively connected to said basket and said agitator for spinning said basket during a liquid-extraction operation and actuating said agitator during' a washing operation; an annular element in the upper portion of said basket and having circumferentially spaced connections to said basket wall for defining passages for liquid 'flowing upwardly upon actuation of said agitator during said washing operation and spinning of said basket during said liquid-extraction operation, said basket having a circular rim, located adjacent the discharge ends of said passages, for directing the liquid over said element and onto the clothes in said basket during said washing operation, said liquid in said basket flowing through said passages and being expelled over said rim into said receptacle during the liquid-extraction operation.

8. In a clothes washing machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said annular element is a guard ring extending radially inwardly of said basket wall to confine clothes within the basket during the water-extraction operation.

9. In a clothes washing machine as defined in claim 7 wherein the annular element has a circular pocket for hallast material providing a basket-balancing ring during spinning of the basket.

10. In a clothes washing machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said annular element has radially spaced inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall providing a circular pocket for ballast material to provide a basketbalancing ring during spinning of the basket, and said bottom wall confines the clothes in the basket during spinning of the basket.

.11. in a clothes washing machine as defined in claim 10 wherein said radially inner side wall of said annular element is provided with openings, and said ballast ring has its upper surface inclined toward said openings for flow of liquid, from the discharge ends of said passages, through said openings onto the 'clothes in said basket.

12. In a clothes cleaning machine, a water-collecting receptacle having a clothes-receiving opening in the top thereof; a clothes and liquid-containing basket in said receptacle and having a generally cylindrical side wall; an agitator in said basket; an agitating and spinning mechnism selectively connected to said basket -and said agitator for spinning said basket during a liquid-extraction operation and actuating said agitator during a washing operation; means providing for flow o' liquid into said basket for a rinsing operation; an annular element on the upper portion of said basket wall and defining passages for liquid flowing upwardly upon actuation of said agitator during said washing operation and spinning of said basket during said liquid-extraction operation; means, located adjacent the discharge end of said passages, for directing the liquid Onto the clothes in said basket during said washing operation and for expelling the liquid in said basket into said receptacle during the liquid eXtraction operation, and means defining openings in said side wall for flow of water from said basket into said receptacle during said rinsing operation.

13. ln a clothes cleaning machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said annular element is within said basket and has circumferentially spaced connections to said basket wall, and said openings are in communication with said passages.

References Cited German application B 2,6,826 (Dannenmann), September 1955.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE, A RECEPTACLE HAVING A CLOTHES-RECEIVING OPENING IN THE TOP THEREOF; A CLOTHES AND LIQUID-CONTAINING BASKET IN SAID RECEPTACLE AND HAVING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL WALL; AGITATION MEANS IN SAID BASKET; A GUARD RING ON THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID BASKET AND PROVIDING A PASSAGE FOR LIQUID FLOWING UPWARDLY BY OPERATION OF SAID AGITATION MEANS, SAID RING HAVING OPENINGS RADIALLY INWARDLY OF SAID PASSAGE; OPERATIVE TO ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID PASSAGE, OPERATIVE TO DIRECT THE UPWARDLY FLOWING LIQUID INTO SAID RING OPENINGS AND THEREBY ONTO THE CLOTHES IN SAID BASKET. 